Six Key Energy Races To Watch On Election Day

November 6, 2018

Today, voters around the country will choose the next crop of Republican or Democrat politicians. Pundits disagree on what political party stands to gain or lose the most. Here at Power The Future, there are a half dozen key energy policy issues on the ballot that we’re watching closely. From carbon taxes to new regulations, voters in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and Washington have big decisions to make.

These are the races you should watch today for energy issues today:

Arizona

The very unpopular Proposition 127 is up for a vote today in Arizona. The measure would require electric companies to become 50 percent renewable by 2030, a tall and expensive order for the state’s industry.

The proposition has been marked by leftist billionaire Tom Steyer, who poured millions of dollars in outside money behind the proposition.

California

Last year’s gas bill hiked taxes by 12 cents per gallon. Proposition 6 would repeal that tax hike and institute a rule stating that voters must give their stamp of approval on all future tax increases on gas and vehicles.

It’s a no-brainer why the gas tax is unpopular. California’s exorbitant gas prices regularly lead the rest of the country, and Golden State motorists don’t need even more pain at the pump.

Colorado

Voters will render judgment on Proposition 112, which would essentially ban a huge swath of oil and gas work in the state and eliminate countless energy jobs.

Even the state’s liberal candidate for governor couldn’t stomach supporting it, but the polls show it as a close vote.

Florida

Florida’s residents will cast their vote on the Amendment 9 ballot measure, which would ban oil and gas drilling in state waters. While this is already law in Florida, the ballot measure would cement the ban into Florida’s Constitution, making all that economic opportunity off limits for years to come.

Nevada

Nevada’s Question 6 is similar to Arizona’s Proposition 127, with all the same challenges and all the same outside money from Steyer.

Washington

The Carbon tax is up for a vote in Washington on Initiative 1631, which would put a tax of $15 per ton of certain carbon beginning in 2020. The rate would rise with inflation and would cost $2.3 billion in the first five years.

That’s a heavy price when the promised effects on climate change are dubious.

Those are the key races to watch today for all the biggest energy votes. We won’t tell you how to cast your ballot, but keep in mind that America’s energy workers are key to our economy and our nation’s future.